Graduate research shines at TMU 3MT® Competition
TMU 3MT® finalists Daniel Almuiña Pica, Sammy Abdou and Participants’ Choice winner Ishita Shreshtha display their awards in POD-250.
Big ideas in a short time was the theme of TMU’s annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition, where graduate students had just three minutes to present their groundbreaking research. The high-energy event brought together talented students from a variety of disciplines, all tasked with simplifying complex ideas into accessible presentations.
Biomedical Engineering PhD student and TMU 3MT® winner Sammy Abdou. Photo by Andy Lee.
Sammy Abdou, a Biomedical Engineering PhD student, took home the grand prize for his presentation "The First Minute of Life." His research addresses a critical challenge in neonatal care: developing a device that accurately measures a newborn's heart rate in under 10 seconds, giving doctors more time to intervene during the crucial first minute after birth.
“I’m truly humbled and honoured to represent TMU at the Ontario competition,” Abdou said. “This year’s 3MT was highly competitive, with presenters who not only conduct impactful research but also communicate it effectively to diverse audiences.”
On winning, Abdou reflected, "Winning 3MT is a privilege. This competition bridges the gap between complex research and making it accessible to the public. In an era of misinformation, clear communication of research is crucial, and this competition provides the perfect platform for that."
Abdou shared why his research is so meaningful: "I believe in the power of technology to revolutionize medicine, particularly in neonatal care. My goal is to improve the lives of sick babies, and I hope my work moves beyond the lab to create real-world impact." Looking ahead to the Ontario 3MT® competition, he added, "It’s still surreal, but I’m excited and committed to making TMU proud."
Civil Engineering MASc student and 3MT® runner-up Daniel Almuiña Pica.
Daniel Almuiña Pica, a Civil Engineering master’s student, placed second with his presentation "Can Big Brother Save the Climate?" Pica’s research uses satellites to detect methane leaks, a major contributor to climate change, and helps mitigate emissions through real-time monitoring.
“Participating in 3MT was incredible,” Pica said. “There were so many amazing presentations, and I never expected to be a finalist, let alone the runner-up. As the only civil engineer there, I felt proud to represent my department and lab.”
Pica’s research combines his passions for the environment and space, aiming to showcase how orbital tools can monitor and address climate change. “I hope my presentation sparks more interest in both climate action and the space industry,” he added.
Biomedical Engineering PhD student and Participants' Choice recipient Ishita Shreshtha.
The Participants’ Choice Award went to Ishita Shreshtha, a Biomedical Engineering PhD student, for her presentation "B Cells in Action for Cancer Diagnosis." Shreshtha’s research uses nano-sensors and machine learning to detect cancer through molecular fingerprints from B cells, providing a 98 per cent accurate diagnosis from just a drop of blood in under 10 minutes.
All 3MT® participants on stage in POD-250.
The event brought together students from diverse fields to share their research and learn from one another. It underscored the collaborative spirit at TMU, where ideas are exchanged, connections are made and everyone is united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on the world.
